REVIEW: JERSEY BOYS @ NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE

🎭 Jersey Boys

📍 New Wimbledon Theatre, 93 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London, SW19 1QG

🗓 Thursday 25th June 2026

⭐️ 5 Stars

THE BOYS ARE BACK!

It's no secret that JERSEY BOYS has been one of my favourite musicals for a long time, and it's been a long two and a half year wait since the show closed in the West End. But patience does indeed pay off, and the boys are back with a new 20th Anniversary tour, which officially opened last night at London's New Wimbledon Theatre.

Yesterday was the hottest day of the year so far, and being absolutely mad, I also attended the matinee performance before the press night, and it's not too much of an exaggeration to say that I was almost a puddle by the end of the night! I don't know how the company got through two shows in that heat!

For those living under a rock, this phenomenal show tracks the meteoric rise and fractious fall of The Four Seasons. It is hard to believe that this masterpiece production is now entering its 20th Anniversary tour, having first taken Broadway by storm back in 2005. The genius of the show lies in its structure - it is split into four seasons, with each member of the band narrating their own perspective of the story. It is a gritty, unsentimental look at fame, mafia ties, and brotherhood, packed to the brim with some of the greatest pop songs ever written.

It's fair to say that as a long-time fan of this musical - I've followed it since its first UK tour and have seen it circa 100 times over the years - not only is it my absolute comfort show, it means I'm extremely picky about every aspect of the show - especially the casting!

I need not have worried though. This is a stellar cast, led by Luke Baker as Frankie Valli. I have seen Baker in other roles over the years, but this could easily be his career-defining performance. He captures Frankie's vulnerability perfectly, growing from a naive teenager into a hardened industry veteran right before our eyes. Vocally, he is an absolute powerhouse, nailing that iconic, soaring falsetto with effortless precision and zero strain. His rendition of "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" took the roof off, and even had some members of the audience up on their feet.

Matching his brilliance are Carlo Boumouglbay as the swaggering Tommy DeVito and Lewis Kennedy as the stoic Nick Massi. Their utter believability on that stage is second to none. Boumouglbay plays Tommy with the perfect blend of dangerous charm and toxic pride, making you love him and feel exasperated by him all at once. Kennedy provides a brilliant, grounded anchor as Nick, delivering his comedic lines with a wonderful, dry wit that completely won the audience over.

The absolute standout performance for me though came from Toby Miles as Bob Gaudio. I'd even go as far as to say he is my absolute favourite actor to have ever played the role. I instantly fell in love with him the minute he walked on the stage. He radiates an intellectual charisma and a genuine warmth that brings a beautiful heart to the production, and his performance of "Cry For Me" was one of the most exquisite things I've heard on any stage.

The harmonies between the four leads can only be described as pure musical magic, and were tighter than a tourist's budget in London!

But it wasn't just the main four. The entire cast gave utterly outstanding performances.

Michael Levi is deliciously camp and theatrical as the eccentric producer Bob Crewe, bringing total joy to every scene, while Sydnie Hocknell plays Mary Delgado with a fierce, razor-sharp edge that demands your attention. Oliver Tester also shines brightly, showing off incredible versatility across multiple ensemble tracks.

Fed Zanni completely embodied the menacing mob boss gravitas as Gyp Decarlo. You really believed that he was dangerous and not to be messed with! I also loved Jarryd Nurden, whose infectious energy just drew me to him whenever he was on stage, and Artemis Chrisoulakis dazzled as she led the girls in a dynamic performance of "My Boyfriend's Back".

That scorching matinee also gave me the perfect excuse to catch Ellis Kirk, the alternate Frankie Valli, and my goodness, what a treat that was. Kirk delivers a sensational performance that holds its own in every possible way. He brings a beautifully distinct flavour to the role, and I was particularly blown away by the sheer emotion and heart he injected into "Fallen Angel". It was an incredibly raw, poignant moment that genuinely tugged at the heartstrings and left a few lumps in throats around the auditorium. This production is blessed with an absolute embarrassment of riches in the Frankie department!

Klara Zieglerova’s industrial, two-tier steel set remains a masterclass in minimalist design, using chain-link fences and moving staircases to smoothly transport us from gritty Jersey street corners to glamorous recording studios in a heartbeat. This is enhanced beautifully by Howell Binkley’s brilliant, rock-concert lighting design, which uses dramatic, isolated spotlights and vibrant washes of colour to perfectly shift the mood from intimate backstage arguments to explosive stadium performances.

Adding another layer of visual storytelling is the use of pop-art projections on the screens above. Designed in a striking comic-book style, they look absolutely fantastic and achieve a wonderful sense of nostalgia while mirroring the larger-than-life drama happening on the stage below.

This 20th Anniversary production is an absolute triumph that breathes thrilling new life into a beloved classic - do not miss it! Who loves you JERSEY BOYS? I do!

Yes, I am undeniably a firm fan of this musical, but that doesn't automatically guarentee a five-star review. In fact, recently I have learned just how important casting is, with the current cast of Annie meaning I awarded 5 stars when previously I had awarded 3, and the tour of The Bodyguard falling from 5 to 2 stars! Rest-assured reader that this production has earned every one of its stars!

JERSEY BOYS continues performances in Wimbledon until Saturday 27th June. CLICK HERE to snap up the last remaining tickets. The show then works its way back to audiences across the UK until August 2027. CLICK HERE to head to the show's official website for all the tour dates, full cast biographies, and much more.

Neill Kovacic-Clarke

All views are my own and I pride myself on being honest, fair and free from influence. Theatre is subjective and it is important to remember that all views expressed are just those of one person.

My ticket for this performance of Jersey Boys was gifted by New Wimbledon Theatre who invited me to watch the show in exchange for my honest review. The fact that my ticket was gifted played no part in the content of my review or the star rating given.

CAST LIST:

Luke Baker as Frankie Valli; Carlo Boumouglbay as Tommy DeVito; Lewis Kennedy as Nick Massi; Toby Miles as Bob Gaudio; Aiden Carson as Joe Pesci (and others); Michael Levi as Bob Crewe (and others); Sydnie Hocknell as Mary Delgado (and others); Olivia Mitchell as Lorraine (and others); Artemis Chrisoulakis as Francine (and others): Jarryd Nurden as Hank Majewski (and others): Oliver Tester as Norm Waxman (and others): Fed Zanni as Gyp DeCarlo (and others): Zach Sorrow as Barry Belson (and others): Scott Concalves as On Stage Swing; Ellis Kirk as Alternate Frankie Valli

RUNNING TIME (approx):

2 hours 30 minutes, including interval

CONTENT WARNINGS:

Flashing lights; Theatrical haze; Loud music; Adult language; Gunshot; References to crime

AGE GUIDELINE:

12+

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